Some of my favorite childhood memories involve the New York State Capitol. My dad was an engineer who worked on many projects there over the years, and he would tell me stories about the building. One of my favorite memories, aside from those stories, was going there on a class trip.
We toured the Capitol and had lunch with then-Governor Mario Cuomo. He was so kind and patient as we kids peppered him with questions. I remember standing inside with my head tilted upward, completely in awe of how grand and ornate the building was.
I still think about that visit. Here are a few details about the Capitol that might surprise you.
New York State Capitol Construction Stretched From 1867 to 1899
Work on the Capitol began in 1867. Governor Theodore Roosevelt declared the building complete on January 1, 1899, after more than 30 years of construction. The project cost about $25 million, according to the New York State Senate.
Albany’s Million Dollar Staircase Has 444 Steps
The Capitol’s Great Western Staircase is better known as the Million Dollar Staircase. It’s made from red Scottish sandstone and features carved portraits. One detail you might miss: Frederick Douglass’s last name was misspelled on his carving until it was corrected in 2019. The official Capitol staircase tour shares these details and more.
Henry Hobson Richardson Designed the Capitol’s Grand Staircase
Architect Henry Hobson Richardson designed the Great Western Staircase, but he died before it was finished. Isaac Perry completed the work. You can see the staircase’s stonework and learn more about its design in the state’s virtual tour.
The 1911 New York State Capitol Fire Killed Night Watchman Samuel Abbott
On March 29, 1911, a fire began in the Capitol’s Assembly Library and spread through the building. Night watchman Samuel Abbott died in the fire. The New York State Senate’s account covers the fire and the memorial honoring Abbott.
Those facts add to what I remember from that class trip: the Capitol was full of history, detail, and stories. I can still picture myself standing there, looking up in awe.
Did You Ever Wonder How The Heck They Actually Built Albany’s Egg?
10 Incredible Upstate New York Public Buildings With Amazing Back Stories!
Often times we pass by a government building and pay no attention to it. A post office, county courthouse, fire house, etc. But, oh the stories these places can tell. Here are 10 unique government buildings in Upstate New York whose histories might just catch your attention!
Gallery Credit: Chuck D’Imperio